She Gives Orange Oak Cabinets A Moody Transformation With A Clever DIY

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The great thing about interior design is that you can make up ideas on the fly in your home. Although there are recommendations from design pros like Joanna Gaines, there really aren't any hard and fast rules — it's all about what feels right to you. For example, orange-toned cabinets made from oak or maple were once recommended to make your kitchen, one of the more traffic-heavy and communal rooms in a home, appear more open and inviting. But, that warm tone is now seen as old-fashioned and unwanted. What if you could easily replace them with something edgier and more dramatic?

Well, one TikToker, @shybabiesmom, proved that breaking the rules can turn outdated kitchen cabinets into ones that breathe new life into the entire space. After getting tired of the gold-toned woodgrain look, she updated those oak cabinets with a splash of paint and completely changed how her kitchen looked and felt. This rich, moody transformation into dark gray seems in-step with some of the gorgeous cabinet trends set to take over kitchens in 2026, where darker tones are being used in favor of bolder, intentional looks.

Not only is the final look amazing, but having dark-colored cabinets offers additional benefits. Darker colors absorb more light, making these moody cabinets a great anchoring focal point for an airy kitchen. Also, darker cabinets, whether they're semi-gloss or satin, pair well with light or neutral-toned countertops, giving a kitchen an open and balanced presentation, without it feeling closed off or cave-like. And it's this same contrast that makes two-tone kitchen cabinets work so well, too.

After you've decided on the ideal color for your dark kitchen cabinets — a rich gray like Sherwin-Williams Kendall Charcoal can work well – measure your cabinetry to determine how much paint you'll need. An average kitchen will need about 1 to 2 gallons, plus 1 to 2 gallons of primer. While at the hardware store, grab additional painting supplies, such as foam rollers and trays, plastic tarps, and primer for a quality finish and to prevent bleeding. It's also helpful to have sandpaper, painter's tape, tack cloth, and a degreaser for cleanup. 

@shybabiesmom

Painted my oak kitchen cabinets in our loghouse grey and black then, changed out the hardware. The prpcess I did had 5 steps per each side of cabinet but, I LOVE them. This project took me FOREVER to complete on free weekends. #diy #kitchen #cabinets #black #kitchenmakeover #painting #project #foryou #loghouse

♬ Now Look at This – Dramatello

For this job, you'll want both a roller and a brush on hand. A 4-inch roller, such as the one in the Mister Rui 4 Inch Foam Paint Roller Kit is wide enough to minimize strokes (like on the sides and bottoms), yet narrow enough to fit between cabinet frames. However, an angled sash brush, such as the Pro Grade 2 Inch Angled Paint Brush Pack, gets into the nooks and grooves if your cabinets have raised or recessed panels — and it's best for "cutting-in" on the edges. 

First, remove everything from inside the cabinets. It's also best to remove any hardware like knobs or pulls. Cover anything you don't want to get paint on with tape (including edges of cabinets). Start by lightly sanding the cabinets with 220-grit sandpaper, which will allow for better paint adhesion. Next, wipe down the cabinets with a tack cloth to remove any dust before applying a thin coat of primer. Once it's dry, repeat with a second coat. Follow with your first coat of paint, letting it dry before building up the finish with one or two more coats.

There are endless color options and approaches to consider if you want to work the look into your kitchen. Dark grays aren't the only shades that can create an atmosphere that is equal parts chic and mysterious. For example, take a look at sultry shades like Behr's Divine Wine. The brooding, yet refined, plum undertone can easily bring a smoky depth to boring cabinetry and pair well with stainless steel appliances and decorative brass or gold hardware. 

And don't forget about dark green hues. They're another mood-setting option that brings a bit of botanical elegance, especially when paired with light countertops and wall accents. Beyond color, extra touches including light-colored trim and statement lighting, such as starburst chandeliers and oversized pendants, help to complement dark tones in a kitchen, balancing warmth with the moody aesthetic.